Tax Packages for the 2006 Filing Season

FS-2006-3, January 2006

The Internal Revenue Service will send taxpayers almost 17.7 million tax packages and 15.5 million computer filing post cards this year. The tax packages cost nearly $6 million for printing and $5.1 million for postage for an average overall cost of 63 cents per tax package. The 4-page post cards describe the advantages of e-filing and cost about 20 cents each. For all products, the average overall cost is 42 cents per piece. Most people will get their tax packages in early January. The IRS expects to receive about 135 million individual tax returns in 2006.

The IRS does not mail tax packages to those likely to use a computer to do their own returns. Instead, it sends these taxpayers a brochure that explains electronic filing and the electronic signature Self-Select PIN (personal identification number) program.

Form 1040-V

Just over 1.1 million taxpayers will receive a Form 1040-V payment voucher in a mailing separate from their regular tax packages. The voucher helps ensure that their payments are accurately credited to their accounts.

Name Labels

Taxpayers should use the name labels from the tax packages on their forms to help ensure a correct mailing address. Since the labels don’t include Social Security numbers (SSNs), taxpayers must put their SSNs on their forms, taking care that each person’s SSN matches the name on the Social Security card. Failure to do so may result in delayed refunds or lost tax benefits. Incorrect or missing numbers for taxpayers or dependents were among the most frequent errors on returns the last few years.

TeleFile

TeleFile is no longer available because the number of taxpayers who use it has decreased steadily over the past few years. There are a variety of other easy-to-use e-file alternatives. The IRS encourages taxpayers to take a look at all the advantages of the e-file options including Free File, online filing and electronic filing through a tax professional.

Forms and Publications

Taxpayers who do not receive a tax package in the mail (such as hurricane victims who have relocated) should check this Web site to download and print official IRS forms, instructions and publications. Or they may order them by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). The IRS also distributes tax materials through many libraries and post offices across the country.